A new era for European Co-operatives …

Co-operatives across Europe move decisively into a new era. Cooperatives Europe is now the European region of the International Co-operative Alliance. Four hundred and sixty co-operators from thirty countries converged on the home of co-operation – Manchester UK - to unanimously adopt a new structure for the European representative organisation.

The positive contribution of the co-operative enterprise model to achieving the goals of economic stability and social cohesion was recognised by the UK’s Treasury Minister Ed Balls and the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities – Vladimir Špidla.

The 460 conference delegates from across the continent were meeting to consider the important role that co-operatives play in Europe and how they are leading the way when it comes to good governance, community development and sustainable business practices.

Rainer Schlϋter, Director of Cooperatives Europe, reported that there are 267,000 co-operative businesses in Europe, with 5.4 million employees and 163 million citizens as members. The biggest membership organisation in Europe”.

Best practice models from twenty six co-operative organisations were showcased in thematic workshops that covered Corporate Governance; A vision for Housing now and in the future; Image building, including the re-branding of the 8th largest Co-op in the world; Working together trans-nationally and Creating European Co-operative Societies.

Having given its full backing to the creation of a new legal and representative structure for the European region of the International Co-operative Alliance and a representative structure that established the EU Co-ordination Committee and a new Board of Directors, under the Co-Presidency of Pauline Green & Etienne Pflimlin, to guide the daily working practices; the conference set out its key strategic objectives for the next 4 years.

The coming year, 2007 will see a concentration on the strengthening of the representation of the co-operative model and its recognition by policy makers. The co-operative enterprise system will be strengthened and the image and the visibility of co-operatives will be promoted whilst increasing the membership of Cooperatives Europe across the region.

As promised the ‘European Conference & Regional Assembly’ was an event not to have missed as it was a worthy springboard for a new era based on the strengths and greater visibility of European Co-operatives.

Ends

Note: All Speeches and Presentations along with the Regional Assembly documents: 2005 Performance Report, 2005/6 Activity Report and the Strategic Guidelines for Action can be found HERE